No Panic: How to Crank a Stihl Chainsaw Easily

I still remember the first time I tried to start my Stihl chainsaw. It was a crisp Saturday morning. I had a pile of logs waiting and a fresh cup of coffee in my system. I felt ready.

But the saw? It had other plans.

I pulled the cord until my arm felt like jelly. Nothing happened. I was sweating, frustrated, and honestly, a little embarrassed. My neighbor was probably watching from his porch.

It took me a while to learn that these saws are picky. They have a specific starting ritual. It is almost like a secret handshake. If you miss one step, the engine stays quiet. But once you know the trick, it starts like a dream every time.

Here is how I finally mastered how to crank a Stihl chainsaw without losing my cool.

Safety First: Don’t Skip This

Before I even touch the rope, I always do one thing. I lock the chain brake.

I push the big black handguard forward. It sits right in front of the top handle. You should hear a solid click. This stops the chain from spinning when the engine fires up. I learned the hard way that a spinning chain on a startup can catch you off guard. It is scary.

Now, I place the saw on flat ground. I make sure the bar is not touching any dirt or rocks. I put my right toe through the rear handle loop to hold it down. It keeps the saw steady so it does not jump around.

The Cold Start: The “Burp” is Key

If I have not used the saw yet that day, the engine is “cold.” This is where most people, including my past self, get it wrong. The choke system is unique.

Here is the exact routine I use:

1. Set the Choke: I hold down the trigger on the handle. Then, I push the main lever all the way down to the bottom. This is the Full Choke spot.
2. Prime It: If my saw has a clear plastic bubble, I press it about three to five times. I like to see fuel in there. Also, if there is a blue button on top, I press that down too. It makes pulling the rope much easier on my shoulder.
3. Pull Until the “Burp”: This is the most important part. I pull the cord a few times. I listen closely. Usually, on the second or third pull, the engine will cough. It sounds like it wants to start for a split second and then dies. We call this the “burp.”
4. Stop Pulling! As soon as I hear that burp, I stop. If I keep pulling in this mode, I will flood the engine with too much gas.

The Switch: Moving to Half-Choke

Once the saw burps, I know it has fuel. Now it needs air.

I reach down and move the lever up one notch. This is the Warm Start or Half-Choke position.

Now, I pull the rope again. It usually fires up in one or two pulls. The engine will roar loudly. This is normal. I quickly tap the gas trigger with my finger. The lever automatically snaps up to the normal Run position. The engine slows down to a nice, steady idle.

Oops, I Flooded It (How to Fix It)

I have definitely flooded my saw before. It happens when I miss the “burp” and keep yanking the cord on Full Choke. The smell of raw gasoline is a dead giveaway.

If this happens, I do not panic anymore. I just use this fix:

• I move the lever to the normal Run position.
• I pull the cord. And I pull it again.
• It might take 10 or 20 pulls. It feels like a workout.
• When it finally starts, it smokes like a chimney for a few seconds. That is just the extra fuel burning off. It clears up quickly.

Quick Reference: Lever Positions

I made this mental cheat sheet to help me remember what the lever spots do.

Lever Position	Symbol	When I Use It
Bottom	Full Line	Only for the first few pulls on a cold day. Stop after the burp!
One Notch Up	Dashed Line	Use this after the burp, or if the saw is warm.
Middle (I)	I	Normal running. The saw sits here while I cut.
Top (0)	O	Stop. This turns the saw off.

The Warm Start

If I turn the saw off to move a log, the engine stays warm for about 15 or 20 minutes.

For this, I do not use the bottom setting at all. I just make sure the switch is in the Run position and give it a pull. It usually starts on the first try.

Final Thoughts

Learning to crank a Stihl chainsaw is not about strength. It is about listening. Once I learned to wait for that little cough from the engine, my frustration went away. Now, I can get to work cutting wood without wearing myself out before the job even starts.

FAQs – How to Crank a Stihl Chainsaw